Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer calls for Gov. Paterson to resign

"The governor says he is focused on what is best for New Yorkers," said Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer. "If that is true, then he needs to resign."

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Gov. David Paterson "should resign sooner than later," Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer declared today, saying the "constant swirl of rumors" has ground the work of state government to a halt.

"I am calling on the governor to step aside in the best interest of New Yorkers," said Ms. Hyer-Spencer. "We are getting nothing done here in Albany. The constant swirl of speculation, rumor and gossip is not productive. We need to buckle down and focus on the budget. The governor says he is focused on what is best for New Yorkers. If that is true, then he needs to resign. There is a crisis of confidence in our state government. New Yorkers may not get a budget because of this."

Last week, Ms. Hyer-Spencer (D-Mid-Island/Brooklyn) took the lead in calling on Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to announce his candidacy for governor, but stopped short of calling on Paterson to resign.

Today, she said "much has changed since then" -- including Paterson's announcement that he would not seek election and his call for Cuomo to investigate charges that he and his administration sought to cover up a domestic abuse case.

Ms. Hyer-Spencer said it is not possible for Cuomo to announce his candidacy until his investigation of Paterson is complete.

She also said the call from some quarters that Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch should assume the role of budget negotiator while Paterson remains in office is not viable. She said Paterson's "continued presence" would "supersede Ravitch's ability to get anything done."